Question

In most of the somatic hybridization events in plants, which cells are preferred to be used?

• A. Mesophyll protoplasts
• B. Embryogenic callus
• C. Apical meristem
• D. Xylem vessels

Hint:

Leaf Mesophyll is the "Gold Standard" for protoplasts. It’s like a factory full of identical, easy-to-access cells ready for fusion.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: Somatic hybridization involves the fusion of isolated protoplasts from two different plants to create a hybrid. The choice of source tissue is critical for the ease of isolation and the success of subsequent regeneration.

Step 1: The Advantages of Leaf Tissue.
Mesophyll protoplasts (1), isolated from the green tissue of leaves, are the most preferred source for somatic hybridization. This is because leaves provide a large, uniform population of cells that are relatively easy to digest enzymatically.

Step 2: Regeneration Potential.
Mesophyll cells are highly active and, once the cell wall is removed, they can be easily triggered to de-differentiate and regenerate into whole plants. Furthermore, the presence of chloroplasts in mesophyll protoplasts provides a useful visual marker during the fusion process.

Step 3: Evaluating Other Options.
Xylem vessels (4) are dead, lignified cells and cannot be used. While embryogenic callus (2) can be used, it is more difficult to obtain a clean, high-yield protoplast population from it compared to the standard mesophyll isolation protocol.